Winter storms worsen beach erosion

A year ago, Dr. Cliff Truit, director of engineering for Coastal Tech, made a presentation to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners on the damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike to Navarre Beach. Coastal Tech estimated that it would take 45,500 cubic yards of sand to repair the area from the devastation of both storms.

One year later after several harsh winter storms, the amount of sand needed is probably double that estimate just on the far western end of the beach. In an area where the beach extended about 100 feet after the beach restoration, the gulf’s water is now past two of the public walkovers. These walkovers – No. 11 and 12 - have been closed because the stairs have been destroyed by storms. There is about a 10-foot drop from the deck of walkover.

For more on this story, see the Feb. 25 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.